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First batch of Saudi candidates complete IT training program under new SABIC-Microsoft agreement

The first batch of 100 Saudi candidates underwent an intensive Information Technology training course from June 4 to August 20 under an agreement between SABIC and Microsoft . The agreement was signed recently by Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Thenayan Al-Saud, Chairman of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu and Chairman of SABIC , and Steve Anthony Palmer, General Manager, Global Microsoft .

The candidates completed the course within the Microsoft "IT Can" project wherein qualifying university graduates will be trained to work for SABIC and its contractors. The initiative comes as part of Saudi Arabia's wider plans to reduce unemployment and develop national manpower. SABIC and its affiliates have joined the national plans to prepare Saudi nationals to take up various fields of work.

Mohamed Al-Mady, SABIC Vice Chairman and CEO, has highlighted the importance of this project and other similar plans, which seek to develop Saudi skills, create a suitable work environment and realize the ambitions of young Saudis.

This first batch of trainees symbolizes an important, strategic project which will involve several government and private sectors in the future. The ambitious IT Can project is expected to expand in the coming years to attract more college graduates in line with the increasing number of graduating students. The project will help in creating a pool of young Saudis in technical fields, including Information Technology.

Abdullah Saad Al-Rabeeah, SABIC Executive Vice President, Shared Services, has expressed his desire to see this agreement being implemented successfully, which will eventually serve the interests of the Kingdom's industrial and human resources development.

Mohamed Khamis Bamaqa, Regional Manager, SABIC Information Technology, said that the company was making every effort to nationalize computer-related positions by developing local skills through collaborative efforts with specialized IT companies. In this regard, he praised the leading role played by Microsoft Arabia.

The project is the result of regular meetings held between SABIC and Microsoft on developing IT skills locally to meet current and future challenges. Both the companies have expressed their resolve to enforce the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to prepare Saudis for fruitful employment and invest in developing national skills.

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About SABIC
Saudi Basic Industries Corporation ( SABIC ) ranks among the world's top petrochemical companies. The company is among the world's market leaders in the production of polyethylene, polypropylene and other advanced thermoplastics, glycols, methanol and fertilizers.

SABIC recorded a net profit of SR 21 billion (US$ 5.6 billion) in 2010. Sales revenues for 2010 totaled SR 152 billion (US$ 40.5 billion). Total assets stood at SR 317 billion (US$ 84.5 billion) at the end of 2010.

SABIC 's businesses are grouped into Chemicals, Polymers, Performance Chemicals, Fertilizers, Metals and Innovative Plastics. SABIC has significant research resources with 18 dedicated Technology & Innovation facilities in Saudi Arabia, the USA, the Netherlands, Spain, Japan, India and China. The company operates in more than 40 countries across the world with 33,000 employees worldwide.

SABIC manufactures on a global scale in Saudi Arabia, the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific. SABIC 's overall production has increased from 35 million metric tons in 2001 to 66 million metric tons in 2010.

Headquartered in Riyadh, SABIC was founded in 1976 when the Saudi Arabian Government decided to use the hydrocarbon gases associated with its oil production as the principal feedstock for production of chemicals, polymers and fertilizers. The Saudi Arabian Government owns 70 percent of SABIC shares with the remaining 30 percent held by private investors in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

© Press Release 2011